Mali Lošinj

Located in western Croatia, Mali Losinj is the biggest island town on Losinj Island. This stunning town is set at the apex of a long natural harbor that is surrounded by Mediterranean townhouses, lush green hills, and the open sea on all sides. When you first approach this island town, you will be able to see a string of many 19-century sea captain houses that line its seafront. Today Mali Losinj is one of the biggest tourist destinations in western Croatia.

The town falls in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar Country on the island of Losinj, and there are only around 8,116 inhabitants on this island. The construction of many camps and hotels, and resorts has witnessed a boom in tourism here, causing many to wonder about protecting the natural resources on this island as Mali Losinj is located in the most protected part of Losinj bay.

Being the biggest island town, Mali Losing is famous for its lush green vegetation all around. The harbor of this island is said to be the most beautiful amongst the entire Adriatic. Due to its beautiful landscape and setting, Mali Losinj has become the biggest attraction of Losinj Island. As you go around the island, you will be able to see the luxurious Cikat Bay towards the north of the town, while the majestic cone peak of Umpiljak rises over Mali Losinj's stunning port.

This island town has always been famous. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the city had a flourishing shipbuilding industry, due to which the town witnessed people from all over the world. Over time, the shipbuilding industry was taken over the tourism as Hungarians and Austrians started flocking Cikat Bay to experience a holiday full of fun, sea, and sun. They left behind many ornate architecture and ruins of villas, some of which have been converted into luxury hotels and resorts now.

The best place for sightseeing here are the Cikat beaches. This includes a small sandy beach as well as a longer pebble beach Cikat Bay. This is a protected bay separated from the harbor of Mali Losinj by a dense and fragrant forest of magnificent pines.

As you walk along the beaches of Mali Losinj, you will see that there are plenty of places to windsurf, take a stroll along the seaside promenade, sunbathe on the sandy beach, scuba dive in the sparklingly clear waters, or participate in the many water sports and other activities that take place. Paragliding is another trendy sport here.

While Mali Losinj has always been famous for its natural beauty, these days, visitors also flock to the island to check out their extraordinary new museum. The Museum of Apoxyomenos is a must-see when you come here. This museum's centerpiece is its namesake - a 300 kilo, 1.9 meters tall, bronze statue of Apoxyomenos that dates back to the 1st or 2nd century BC. The name Apoxyomenos means 'man giving himself a scrape.' The statue depicts a well-sculpted athlete poised to scrape off the sweat and dirt after a day of sports. This statue was found in 1996 on the seabed of a neighboring islet in excellent condition.

There are many churches and architectural delights to check out while you are in Mali Losinj.